Slider Widget – Volumes is an uber handy settings widget for your Android homescreen. Instead of the usual toggle feature most similar apps have, this app instead provides a floating slider which allows you to control levels manually. Arguably providing far more control, Slider Widget – Volumes works really well and gives you a new option for managing your settings.

Pros & Cons:

Features:

Slider Widget is a superb little addition to your homescreen which gives you deeper levels of control over adjustable settings such as volume and brightness. The app is very customisable too so you can choose the size of the widget, the colour of the sliders, toggling options and even widget direction.

Installing the widget is easy- simply choose between 1×1, 2×1, 3×1 or 4×1 to suit your needs. The 4×1 widget typically gives you 6 settings: brightness, ringtone volume, music volume, voice call volume, alarm volume and system volumes. When any of these are tapped a small slider is presented which floats on the top. You can then adjust the level however you like. It’s responsive and works really well.

Alongside each floating slider is a small settings button (the wrench icon). Touching this takes you into the full settings menu for the app. Here you can organise which settings are presented in the widget. In addition to those mentioned you can include a notifications volume setting. By long-pressing and holding the icons displayed here, you can drag-and-drop settings into the order you wish displayed.

You can adjust the colour of the background, or make it transparent. You can change the colour of the settings themselves, either together or individually. All settings can be configured to be toggled when double tapped (eg, max and mute volumes, automatic and manual brightness). You can further set your brightness levels to automatic within the settings and choose whether you wish to hear conformation noises when you adjust a setting in the widget.

Overall, Slider Widget is incredibly easy to use and very intuitive. The customisations you can make also means you can really personalise it; not only with the settings you want control over but also to make it fit in with your homescreen design. I think the only minor issue I had with the whole app was that, when you tap on a setting to open the slider, your screen momentarily blinks. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s a little disconcerting. Slider Widget is however a free app, so definitely give it a look.

Usefulness:

Slider Widget is a great app for controlling things like brightness and volume settings individually, and from the comfort of your homescreen. It’s very responsive and works well. The high level of customisation is great, meaning you can personalise the function, look and feel of the widget to suit you.

Ease of Use:

The app couldn’t be easier to use. Very straightforward and mostly self-explanatory, the configuration is probably the trickiest part but only because you have such a wealth of choice. From the homescreen you simply have to tap a setting and slide your finger to adjust it.

Frequently Used:

I guess this depends on the sound/brightness profile you have on your device and how often you need to change it. For example, if you’re in and out of an office that requires you to keep your phone on silent, this is a great way to manage your sound profile. Also, if you use your device for reading you might just want to turn that brightness down a little to protect your eyes.

Interface:

The interface is very simple, but you can significantly change the look and behaviour of the widget. I’ve posted pictures above of the different sizes you can get, but also a homescreen screenshot of how the widget can look with a transparent background and multi-coloured settings. Might not suit everyone, but I thought it looked pretty cool!

AndroidTapp.com Rating

(4.6 out of 5)

Should you Download Slider Widget – Volumes? Most definitely. Slider Widget – Volumes is above all free, so definitely worth a look to add a new level of settings control to your homescreen. I really like the level of customisation so this might be a useful app for homescreen modders and people who like to heavily personalise their Android experience.

2 Comments

You did a great job!
It’s the first time I’m seeing a review which mentioned all aspects/features of the Slider Widget. So thanks!

I have one question/request: I didn’t hear of the “blinks” issue before and I’m not sure if I’m understanding you right: Is the screen getting brighter for a very short time if you open the settings or what is blinking?

I just recently got the Nexus 5. I use various apps and recently downloaded the slider widget. The icon is displayed on my home screen but I if I tap on it the various slider volume controls do not appear. A welcome screen tells me how to add it to my home screen – which I’ve already done. Obviously, I’m missing a step. Any suggestions or guidance would be welcome.